Strictly's Lacey Turner says she is stunned by how her body has been transformed by dancing and reveals she feels 'vacuum-packed'

1 hour ago 22

Published: 16:01 GMT, 7 November 2026 | Updated: 16:08 GMT, 7 November 2026

Strictly Come Dancing's Lacey Turner has revealed she's been left stunned by how her body has transformed amid gruelling training for the BBC show.

The EastEnders star, 38, is partnered up with Vito Coppola and last week the pair topped the leaderboard with their sensational Charleston, bagging nines from all four judges.

And in a new interview ahead of week seven, Lacey explained that she feels as though she's been 'vacuum-packed' as her figure has firmed up thanks to weeks of dancing.

She told The Sun: 'I’ve never really been one to really care what shape or size I am or anything like that. But nothing fits me any more! I mean, considering the amount of pastries we eat and the pasta we eat, I’m shocked!

'I think what’s happening to my body is that it’s going like a vacuum pack. I don’t think you necessarily lose weight, but everything sort of tightens up and you feel stronger.'

The mother-of-three went on to say that another thing that's changed is how quickly she's recovering from each routine, indicating that her body is getting 'resilient and stronger'.

Strictly Come Dancing's Lacey Turner has revealed she's been left stunned by how her body has transformed amid gruelling training for the BBC show [pictured with Vito Coppola]

The EastEnders star, 38, is partnered up with Vito Coppola and last week the pair topped the leaderboard with their sensational Charleston, bagging nines from all four judges [pictured on EastEnders]

Lacey, who lives on a farm with her husband and young family, is a far cry from her feisty on-screen persona Stacey Slater, with the actress much more shy and retiring in real life.

On how the glitz and the glamour of the ballroom is a huge change for her, she said it's 'the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done. I act for a living, but it’s like you’ve walked out there butt naked! I don’t really want anybody to look at me. It’s like, "Can you all turn away please?".'

She added that the show is so far out of her 'comfort zone', but that she's 'proud' of herself for putting herself out there, admitting that she initially thought she was going to have 'a heart attack.'

It comes as Anton Du Beke has hit back at claims Strictly Come Dancing bosses are in 'crisis talks' over the show's future.

The judge, 60, who has been on the show since it started in 2004, has defended the new hosts, the falling viewing figures and celebrity line-up in a new interview.

The programme has come under enormous scrutiny this year after the hosting trio of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe replaced the outgoing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

While Emma is deemed to be a triumph, Josh and former pro dancer Johannes have been criticised for fluffing their lines and timing missteps.

Last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed that BBC bosses know that they need to make changes to the presenting line-up for next series.

In a new interview ahead of week seven, Lacey explained that she feels as though she's been 'vacuum-packed' as her figure has firmed up thanks to weeks of dancing

Anton told The Times of the speculation: 'I never worry about all that. I've seen it all before. All before.'

He added while he misses Tess and Claudia, they don't spend any time together away from the show as he added: 'We go in on Saturday, judge the show, come away. Whatever's in front of us doesn't matter.

'Showbusiness people are used to change. It hasn't changed anything about the show. The only thing you have is great excitement about new people coming in and joining the family. It sounds a bit twee, but it is that.

'All the hosts do is say 'Hello, welcome to the show,' and, 'Here's who's coming next'. The bit we want is the dancing.'

The show once drew in 14 million viewers at its peak but the launch show this year drew 5.7million.

The former professional dancer said: 'The viewing figures aren't what they were because [television's] all different now. The key is the viewer percentage of whoever's watching the television at that moment.

'There's no point saying, "We don't get 12 million viewers like we used to", if only 5 million are watching television anyway.'

Anton said last weekend's percentage was 58 per cent and added 'every year over 50 per cent of the population are watching.'

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

LACEY TURNER

AGE: 38

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC's EastEnders

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.'

DELTA GOODREM

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!'

CACH MERCER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!'

DAME SARAH STOREY

AGE: 48

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain's most successful Paralympian

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'

BETHANY ANTONIA

AGE: 28

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'

GRAEME 'THE DOGFATHER' HALL

AGE: 59

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!'

TABBY STOECKER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!'

MELANIE WALTERS

AGE: 64

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.'

DANI DYER

AGE: 30

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!'

CHRIS APPLETON

AGE: 43

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars - including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.'

WILL BEST

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!'

JAIME WINSTONE

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.'

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS

AGE: 44

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!'